The 5 best places in the UK to get engaged

Blessed with expansive golden beaches, picturesque harbour towns and lively seaside resorts, Cornwall is the UK’s version of the Riviera and the ultimate luxury UK getaway. When the weather is right, she’s utterly glorious. 

There are loads of beautiful romantic spots to get down on bended knee in Cornwall, perhaps the most obvious is St Michael’s Mount. Close to Penzance on the south-east coast, this stunning castle is something straight out of a fairy-tale, resting on top of an island surrounded by the sea and boasting magnificent views out towards the Atlantic. 

Another gorgeously romantic spot to get engaged is the world-renowned Minack Theatre, carved into the rugged cliffside, this open-air theatre overlooks Porthcurno Bay and offers a legendary backdrop to pop the question. Pack a picnic, settle down under the stars and snuggle up to watch a live performance with your loved one.

Our favourite romantic hotels in Cornwall:

• The Scarlet for sheer tranquillity and the ability to get back to nature in a serene, eco-hotel setting 
• Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate for a picture-perfect private beachside location, plus award-winning spa

The capital city of London can be just about anything you want it to be. A hedonistic weekend away, a base for historic and cultural sightseeing, a cheeky shopping trip, and more. But it can also be the ideal location to get engaged due to the profusion of iconic landmarks everywhere you turn.

Tower Bridge is one of the capital’s most famed landmarks and stands out as one of the top romantic spots - not least because of its central location and fantastic views – because you can privately hire out the walkway at the top of the bridge for your proposal. All you need is some champagne, ambient fairy lights and a few rose petals, and then you’re set!

Another iconic attraction is the London Eye, offering 360-degree panoramic views across the city, it’s a pretty romantic ride even without an impending proposal. Just think how wonderful it would be to rent out a private pod for you and your loved one and gaze out over London together, and the cupid pod allows just that! With a bottle of Pommery Rose Champagne, Hotel Chocolat Pink Champagne truffles, a personal host and priority boarding included, you're guaranteed to give your loved one the ultimate surprise. 

Our favourite romantic hotels in London:

• Shangri-La, The Shard for its five-star accommodation within the illustrious glass skyscraper that provides the greatest views of London
• The Ritz for being an ultra-luxurious hotel within the city’s classiest district, not to mention its iconic afternoon teas

With endlessly beautiful landscapes, a vivid culture and a place steeped in mythical folklore, Scotland is one of the most romantic places to get engaged.

The historical city of Edinburgh is full of romantic spots like galleries and museums, leafy parks, gardens, and hills. And perhaps the most famous place to pop the question in Scotland’s capital is the monumental landmark, Edinburgh Castle. Take to the esplanade to declare your love and enjoy the perfect backdrop of the city below to celebrate your impending nuptials. However, anywhere in Edinburgh’s stunning Old Town would be a gorgeous setting for a marriage proposal.

There are too many picturesque spots in Scotland to list them all here, but a couple of our favourites would have to include the summit of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain peak, and offers a naturally dramatic, and spectacular backdrop for your big moment, just make sure your other half is prepared for a bit of an adventure.

Another of our favourites is the Jacobite Railway. For those who don't know, the Jacobite Steam Train also doubles as the iconic Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter films and is instantly recognisable when it passes over the infamous Glen Finnan Viaduct. The whole journey on the West Highland Line winds through the country’s sensational scenery and will provide an utterly breath-taking setting for your engagement.

Our favourite romantic hotels in Scotland:

• The Balmoral, Edinburgh for sheer elegance, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a perfect location in the heart of the city
• Isle of Eriska, West Highlands for being located on an actual private island and offering rooms with hot tubs looking out to sea

Gloucestershire – and the wider Cotswolds area – is undeniably one of the most exquisite regions of England, so it’s hardly surprising that many of the UK’s luxury hotels are located here.

There are countless dreamy locations where you can get down on one knee including the lovely Cleeve Hill – providing your knees hold out after the hike up – that overlooks Cheltenham, the Malvern Hills, and the Vale of Evesham. Broadway Tower is another splendid spot on a hill surrounded by a 200-acre estate of verdant parkland. With the Tower Museum and rooftop platform it makes for an appealing proposal location thanks to its memorable views and quaint history. 

And if heading up the hills isn't your thing, the surrounding quaint villages with bubbling brooks will provide the perfect backdrop for your big moment. You'll find yourself in a scene from The Holiday. 

Our favourite romantic hotels in the Cotswolds:

• Thyme, Southrop for its picture-perfect village location and its eclectic mix of refurbished barns, cottages, former rectory, and old farmhouse. The food is out of this world too!
• Barnsley House, Cirencester for its golden-honey colour stone building and its homely feel with cosy log fires and in-house gin bar

Known as the original wellbeing destination, the exceptionally beautiful city of Bath has been a beacon of relaxation and pleasure since the Roman times, and thankfully not much has changed on that front. Whether you and your significant other are spa-goers or not, you can’t help but be totally bewitched by Bath’s history, charm, and culture. As far as proposal ideas in the UK go, this UNESCO-accredited ‘Great Spa Towns of Europe’ is surely to be very high on your list.

Thermae Bath Spa is one of the most popular spas in the city, mixing its historical building with modern design, you can bathe in the same natural thermal waters as the Celts and Romans did more than 2,000 years ago. Take your loved one in the evening for a romantic rooftop dip in the open air overlooking the gorgeous city below. For an extra special, private experience you can hire out the stand-alone Cross Bath for just the two of you.

Bath Abbey Tower is perhaps the most well-known spot on the city’s proposal scene. Take a 212-step journey to the top and benefit from a backdrop of the beautiful Bath skyline while you become affianced.

Our favourite romantic hotels in Bath:

• The Gainsborough Bath Spa for being the only UK hotel with access to naturally mineral-rich waters within its Spa Village Bath 
• The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa for its famous location in the Royal Crescent and its award-winning dining and cocktail bar

Honourable mentions go to Heckfield Place in Hampshire and Cliveden House in Berkshire. Both are set within grand countryside estates and are frequently visited by couples seeking romantic getaways, making them the perfect places for an engagement. 

Cliveden House holds the accolade of being the hotel that Meghan Markle stayed at the night before she married Prince Harry, plus its Fountain of Love in the National Trust-maintained gardens is a uniquely beautiful setting to propose.

Heckfield Place rests only an hour from London and is surrounded by 400 acres of lush grounds, its luxury country house vibe proves to be a big hit with loved-up couples wanting a quiet weekend away.